Ironing machine



P. E. GELDHOF IRONING MACHINE Nov. 1, 1938. 2,134,915

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Filed April 8, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 P. E. GELDHOF IRONING MACHINE Nov. 1, 1938.

Filed April 8, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IHVENT u R mfg, 2 BY A'TT URNEY wlmass NOV. 1, 1938. P, GELDHOF 2,134,915

IRONING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTDR q. K v ad 42/ WITNEEE B4 /g/ d? ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE to Easy Washing Machine Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application April 8, 1936, Serial No. 73,339

5 Claims.

My invention relates to ironing machines and, more particularly, to a novel combined ironing machine and table.

An object of my invention is to provide an ironing stand, together with ironing elements supported thereby, and a cover for enclosing the ironing elements, the cover when closed enabling the structure to be used as a table and when open enabling the use of the ironing elements.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a combined ironing machine and table having a box-like cover extending over and enclosing the ironing elements which may be moved to-a position preferably at the rear of the ironing stand well below the top level of the ironing elements where it is out of the way, leaving a clear space on all sides of the ironing elements. The ironing elements are thus readily accessible and the cover is in a position such that it does not serve to direct the heat generated by the ironing elements toward the operator in front of the machine.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a combined ironing machine and table in which the ironing elements are pivotally supported inside the ironing stand in an inclined position and the cover overlies the ironing elements, the construction being such that opening of the cover and moving it to the rear of the ironing stand simultaneously raises the ironing elements into a horizontal position to enable their operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of springs secured to the ironing stand and operatively connected to the platform upon which the ironing elements are mounted which serve to aid the operator in raising the ironing elements to operative position.

Another object 01 my invention is the provision of equalizing means whereby when the cover is raised the opposite sides of the cover and the linkage for raising the ironing elements are caused to move together.

My invention further contemplates the provision of a novel linkage arrangement for enabling movement of the cover from a position enclosing the ironing elements to a position at the rear of the ironing stand, whereby the cover is first moved upward so as to clear the ironing elements, and then rearward and downward in a predetermined arc to a position at the rear of the ironing stand well below the level of the ironing elements.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the cover in a closed position and taken on the line A-A of Figure 3 when the cover of that figure is in a closed. position and the ironing elements are in a lowered position. s

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the cover in the open position and taken on the line A-A of Figure 3. I

Figure 3 is a view looking down upon the machine with the cover open and taken on the line 3-3 .of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing a portion of the platform bracket and the toggle for raising the platform.

Figure 5 is a View taken on the line 55 of Figure 2, showing a portion of the equalizing means.

Figure 6 is a View taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a view taken on the line 1-l of Figure 3, showing the bracket by which the elements are secured to the ironing stand.

Figure 8 is a view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 1, showing a modification of my invention.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the cover of the modification of my invention in open position.

Figure 11 is a view taken on the line ll--ll of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a view taken on the line i2l2 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a view taken on the line ll--ll of Figure 10.

The ironing machine of my invention comprises an ironing stand II which has suitable side walls 12, a. rear wall l3 and, a front 14. The ironing stand is provided with suitable legs l6 and the upper edges of the side walls of the ironing stand are bent inward and downward to form a ledge l1 extending completely around the perimeter of the top of the ironing stand and defining an opening into which the ironing elements are raised when they are moved to their operating position. A box-like cover, generally indicated by the numeral I8, extends over and encloses the ironing elements. The cover has depending side walls IS, a rear wall 2|, a front wall 22 and a horizontal top wall 23, the perimeter of which is suitably reinforced forming a ledge 24. The cover I! has its lower edge beaded and resting upon theledge H of the top of the ironing stand.

The ironing machine itself, generally indicated by the numeral 26, which comprises the usual heated ironing shoe and roll, together with the 5' controls and driving mechanism therefor, is supported on a platform 21.

Since the mechanism on both sides of the machine is the same, a description of one side will be sufficient although, with respect to each element described, it will be understood that there is a corresponding element on the opposite side of the machine. As most clearly shown in Figure 4, the platform has a bracket 23 extending downward from the platform. The platform bracket has a rearwardly extending portion 28 and an extension 3| which extends downward and rearward and is pivoted at 32 to a U-shaped bracket 33 fixed to the underside of the ledge I1 of the ironing stand.

The mechanism for raising the ironing elements when the cover is opened comprises an arm 34 which is U-shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 6. The arm 34 is pivoted at 36 to a U-shaped bracket 31 extending from the front wall of the cover I8. The U-shaped arm 34 is bent at 38 so that, as indicated in Figure 2, the upper surface 39 thereof will lie flush with the top level of the ironing stand and the bent portion 38 will extend upward and rearward to clear the rear corner of the ironing stand. A bracket 4|, shown in Figure '7, is fixed to the inner side wall of the ironing stand in the manner shown in Figure 6 and the arm 34 is pivoted to this bracket at 42 by means of a stud 43 having a washer and nut 45 on the end thereof and which is fixed to the U-shaped arm 34. From the pivot point 42, the arm 34 extends downward, as viewed in Figure 1, and has formed at the end thereof a flat topped tail piece 44. The tail piece is provided with a sidewardly extending stop 46 which, when the cover is in the open position, as shown in Figure 8, engages the under side of the rebent portion of the ledge l1 of the ironing stand and limits the upward movement of the arm 34. At a point spaced from the end of the arm 34 is pivoted, as at 41, one link 48 of a toggle, the other link 49 of which is pivoted to the link 43 at 5| and to the bracket 23 at 52. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the link 48 has an offset 53 to enable the link 43 to clear the arm 34 during movement of the mechanism.

A link 54 is pivotally connected at 58 to a bracket 51 mounted on the inside of the cover and to the ironing stand at 53. The link is pivoted to the ironing stand, as indicated in Figure 7, through the bracket 4 l As viewed in Figure 1, the end of the link 54 toward the pivot 58 is curved to the right and then upward as indicated at 59 so that the link 54 will clear the rear corner of the ironing stand and lie between the legs of the U-shaped arm 34 when the cover is open. The purpose of the link 54 is to control the movement of the cover so that the cover, when it is manually moved from one position to another, is forced to move in a fixed predetermined path.

Means are provided for insuring that the linkage on one side of the ironing stand will move simultaneously with the linkage on the other side of the cover and so that the opposite sides of the cover will move together. Such means comprise, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, a pinion 6| which is fitted on a flattened portion of a collar 62 which surrounds the stud 43. The pinion BI is retained in position by a pair of guide plates 63 and the collar 62 is enlarged at 64 to space the arm 34 from the guide plate 33. The pinion 6| meshes with a segment gear 63 which is pivoted at 31 to the bracket 4|. To the segment gear 66 is pivoted, at 83, a link 69 which is pivoted at 1! to a crank 12. The crank 12 is rigidly connected to a shaft 13 through a web connection with a tubular sleeve 15 which is pinned to the shaft. The sleeve 15 is supported in the bracket 4|. The shaft 13, as shown in Figure 3, extends across the machine and is similarly connected to a corresponding crank 12 on the opposite side of the machine.

For the purpose of aiding the operator in manipulating the cover and in raising the ironing elements to their operating position, a spring 13 is provided which has one end rigidly secured at 14 to the ironing stand and the other end secured, at 18, to a depending and ofi'set portion 11 of the platform bracket 28. An apron 18, extending across the machine and pivoted at 13 to the frame, serves as a stop member for the platform and has a curled lower edge 8| adapted to receive the lower end of the platform and support it in the inclined position. A plurality of springs 82, suitably supported beneath the ledge 11, normally urge the stop in an upward direction so that the stop member follows the platform, as shown in Figure 2, when the platform is moved upward.

When the machine is in the closed, inoperative position, shown in Figure 1, the top of the cover may conveniently be used as a table. When it is desired to use the structure as an ironing machine, the operator lifts on the front of the cover and moves it upward. By reason of the fact that the cover is pivoted to the ironing stand both by the arms 34 and by the links 54, the cover is constrained to move in a fixed predetermined path, which path of movement may be made such that the lower forward edge of the cover clears the ironing elements and such that the lower edge of the cover clears the back of the ironing stand. It will be particularly noted that the links 54 are pivoted to the ironing stand rearwardly of their pivot to the cover which forces the rear lower edge of the cover, during the initial opening movement of the cover, to move upward thereby insuring that the lower edge of the cover will clear the rear edge of the ironing stand.

The cross member or equalizing rod 13, together with its connections to the arms 34, insures that the operating mechanism on opposite sides of the machine will move together and that the opposite sides of the cover will move together should the operator, when opening the cover, lift upon only one side thereof. The equalizing rod thus distributes the force exerted by the operator and the weight of the ironing elements equally between the operating mechanism on opposite sides of the machine.

Movement of the cover from the closed to the open position simultaneously raises the platform together with the ironing elements up to their operating position. During the initial opening movement of the cover, the arm 34 pivots about the pivot point 42 and moves the link 46 of the toggle rearward. Further movement of the cover causes the pivot 41 to pass to the left of a line drawn between the pivot 42 and the pivot 52, whereupon the toggle will begin to straighten out. When the cover has been moved upward and rearward a distance sufficient to bring the toggle nearly to a straightened condition, the stop 34 on the link 49 engages the link 45 so that a rigid connection is formed between the arm 34 and the platform so that further movement of the cover raises the ironing elements. It will be particularly noted that during the initial opening movement of the cover, the operator is not required to lift the ironing elements but merely the weight of the cover. The toggle formed by the links 46 and 49 may be made of such length that the load of the ironing elements is not picked up until the cover has passed its balanced position, that'is, its position when if free to move of itself it would'drop' by gravity to open position. when the cover has passed its balanced position, the weight thereof aids the operator in lifting the ironing elements to their operating position. The operator is further aided in lifting the ironing elements by the springs 10 which exert a pull as soon as the platform starts to move.

In the modification of my invention shown in Figures 9 to 13, inclusive, I have illustrated a combined ironing machine and table of the same general construction as that shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive. In this modification, the ironing stand 96, the cover 01, the ironing elements 98, the platform 89 and depending bracket 9| are of essentially the same construction as in the machine shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive. The platform, as more clearlyshown in Figure 13, through a member 90 rigid with the platform, is pivoted at 95 to a bracket 90' on the ironing stand. It will be understood, although the elements on only one side of the machine will be described, that the parts described are duplicated on the other side of the machine.

A U-shaped arm 92, pivoted at 93 to the cover by means of a bracket, asviewed in Figure 9, extends downward and is pivoted at 94 to a bracket 96 secured to the side wall of the ironing stand. The connection, as shown in Figure 11, is formed by a stud 91 rigidly secured to the arm 92 and secured in pivotal relationship with the bracket 96. The elements are held in position by a washer and bolt 98. A toggle, comprising the links 99 and MI, is connected at I02 and I03 respectively to the arm 92 and the bracket 9I. A stop I04 on the link I forms, when the arm 92 has been rotated a predetermined distance, a rigid connection between the arm 92 and the platform whereby the ironing elements are raised into their operating position.

The arm 92 is provided with a gear segment I06 which meshes with a pinion I01. The pinion I01 lies between two guide plates I08 and is rigidly secured to a shaft I09 which extends across the machine and is rigidly connected on the other side of the machine to a pinion similar to the pinion I01. The shaft I09 is loosely mounted in a bracket IIO, a suitable bushing III being provided. The pinion I01 and the guide plates .I08 are fixed to the shaft by means of web constructlons formed in these members which fit into slots on the end of the shaft I09. The shaft I09, together with its connections to the arms 92, insures that the operating mechanism on one side of the machine will move simultaneously with the operating mechanism on the other side and that the load will be equally distributed between the operating elements on opposite sides of the machine.

A link H2, similar in shape to the link 54 of the first construction described,'pivoted at 0' to the cover and at H5 to the stand through a bracket II5 secured to the stand, serves the same function in the present modification as that link. The platform 89 is maintained in the position shown in Figure 9 by a stop II3 pivoted at II4 to the ironing stand, suitable spring means I I6 being provided so that the stop I I3, as shown in Figure 10, will follow'the platform when the platform is moved upward. A spring I I1, threaded on a depending offset portion I I8 of the bracket 9|, is secured at II9 to the ironing stand. The spring I I1 serves to aid the operator in lifting the ironing elements up into their operating position when the cover is moved to the position shown in Figure 10.

It is believed unnecessary to discuss in detail the operation of the ironing machine of this modification since the operation and advantages thereof are substantially the same as above described in connection with the structure of Figures 1 to 8, inclusive.

It will be apparent that while Ihave shown the preferred forms of my invention, various changes and modifications may be made in the form, arrangement and relationship of parts without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a combined ironing machine and table, in combination, a supporting structure, a platform hinged along one edge of the supporting structure and extending in an inclined position within the supporting structure, ironing elements mounted on said platform and projecting above the level of the supporting structure, a hollow box-like cover resting on the supporting structure and extending over and enclosing the ironing elements and forming -with the supporting structure a table, means pivotally interconnecting. said cover, supporting structure and platform for enabling the cover to be manually moved upward over the ironing elements and downward to a position at therear of the iron- .ing stand below the top level of the ironing elements, said movement of the cover simultaneously raising the platform about its pivotal connection with the supporting structure to bring the ironing elements into operable position, and means interconnecting said cover and supporting structure for causing said cover to move in a fixed predetermined path during its movement.

2. In a combined ironing machine and table, in combination, a supporting structure, a platform hinged along the rear edge of the supporting structure and extending in an inclined position within the supporting structure, ironing elements mounted on said platform and projecting above the level of the supporting structure, a hollow box-like cover resting on the supporting structure extending over and enclosing the ironing elements and forming with the supporting,

structure a table, means on each side of the supporting structure pivotally connecting said cover, supporting structure and platform for enabling the cover to be manually moved upward over the ironing elements rearward and downward to a position at the rear of the supporting structure below the top level of the ironing elements, said movement of the cover simultaneously raising the platform about its hinge connection with the supporting structure to bring the ironing elements into operable position, means on each side of the supporting structure interconnecting said cover and supporting structure for causing the cover to move in a fixed predetermined path, and a rotatable element interconnecting one of said pairs of means for equally distributing the load of the ironing elements and the forces exerted by the operator on said cover between said means.

3. In a combined ironing machine and table, in combination, a supporting structure, a platform hinged along one edge of the supporting structure and extendingin an inclined position within the supporting structure, ironing elements mounted on said platform and projecting above the level of the supporting structure, a hollow box-like cover resting on the supporting structure and extending over and enclosing the ironing elements and forming with the supporting structure a table, means interconnecting said cover, supporting structure and platform for enabling the cover to be manually moved upward over the ironing elements and downward to a position at the rear of the ironing stand below the top level of the ironing elements, said movement of the cover simultaneously raising the platform about its pivotal connection with the supporting structure to bring the ironing elements into operable position, said means including a pair of arms on opposite sides of the supporting structure and gears operated by said arms, and

means interconnecting said cover and support ing structure for causing said cover to move in a fixed predetermined path during its movement.

4. In a combined ironing machine and table, in combination, a supporting structure, a platform hinged along one edge of the supporting structure and extending in an inclined position within the supporting structure, ironing elements mounted on said platform and projecting above the level of the supporting structure, a hollow box-like cover resting on the supporting structure and extending over and enclosing the ironing elements and forming with the supporting structure a table, means interconnecting said cover, supporting structure and platform for enabling the cover to be manually moved upward form about its pivotal connection with the supporting structure to bring the ironing elements into operable position, said means including a pair of arms on opposite sides of the supporting structure and gears operated by said arms, means interconnecting said cover and supporting structure for causing said cover to move in a fixed predetermined path during its movement, and

spring means interconnecting said platform and ironing stand to aid in raising the platform to a horizontal position.

5. In a combined ironing machine and table, in combination, a supporting structure, a platform hinged along the rear edge of the supporting structure and extending in an inclined position within the supporting structure, ironing elements mounted on said platform and projecting above the level of the supporting structure, a cover resting on the supporting structure extending over the ironing elements and forming with the supporting structure a table,,a pair of arms pivoted to the cover and to the supporting struc ture, means including a toggle operatively connected to said arms and to said platform for raising the platform about its hinged connection to the supporting structure to substantially a horizontal position and simultaneously enabling movement of the cover to the rear of the supporting structure well below the level of the ironing elements,, a pair of links pivoted to the cover and to the supporting structure for constraining the cover to move in a predetermined path during its movement, and spring means interconnecting said platform and supporting structure for aiding in raising the platform to a horizontal position.

PETER EDUARD GELDHOF. 

